RNC chairman: Romney would win if election were today

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Mitt Romney would be elected president if the election were held today, the Republican National Committee's chairman boldly predicted Monday.

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus predicted a Romney victory based on projected wins in several swing states (polls of which are less definitively optimistic for Romney).

"I feel real good that if the election was held today, we’d be winning today. If the election is tied, we’re going to win the election," Priebus said during a press conference today kicking off the GOP’s "rapid response" effort during the Democratic National Convention.

"Independents are not going to suddenly have an epiphany," Priebus continued, "and decide that everything is great."

Pressed by a reporter on which states Romney would win if the election were held today, Priebus doubled down.

"For one, I think we win Wisconsin today," Priebus said of his home state, adding: "I think we win Florida today. I think we win Virginia. I think that we win Iowa."

Priebus said Romney would be close in Ohio, a state he called a "toss-up."

Yet demonstrating the GOP’s not-so easy electoral map in November, Romney winning Wisconsin, Florida, Virginia, and Iowa would still leave him short of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency, especially if Romney doesn’t carry Ohio.

The GOP will hold press conferences several times daily this week, inside a television studio nestled in the basement of Charlotte’s NASCAR museum.

"Today, the thrill and pixie dust of Barack Obama’s presidency is gone. Americans feel no hope, and have seen a change for the worst," Priebus told reporters. "Democrats are dispirited. Enthusiasm is clearly on the Republican side."

Priebus was joined today by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT). Other officials slated to participate in the GOP effort here include Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.